The post-stroke hemiplegic patient. 1. a method for evaluation of physical performanceAR Fugl-Meyer, L Jääskö, I Leyman et al.|Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine|1975 A system for evaluation of motor function, balance, some sensation qualities and joint function in hemiplegic patients is described in detail. The system applies a cumulative numerical score. A series of hemiplegic patients has been followed from within one week post-stroke and throughout one year. When initially nearly flaccid hemiparalysis prevails, the motor recovery, if any occur, follows a definable course. The findings in this study substantiate the validity of ontogenetic principles as applicable to the assessment of motor behaviour in hemiplegic patients, and foocus the importance of early therapeutic measures against contractures.
The post-stroke hemiplegic patient. II. Incidence, mortality, and vocational return in Göteborg, Sweden with a review of the literature.A review of recent literature on incidence, mortality and prevalence of stroke with special emphasis on hemiplegia is given. A combined retrospective/prospective study of first stroke with hemiplegia before age 66 shows identical age-specific incidence 1965/66 and five years later 1970/71. The mortality rates are also nearly identical during one year after stroke. Half-survival time is 6 years. 32% of all 6-year survivors and 41% of those who had only one stroke return to a vocation. Return to work is correlated to degree of motor handicap and probably also to age. In the Swedish population of 8 million, each year about 2,300 individuals, still in their vocationally active years, fall victim to first stroke with hemiplegia. Of these, more than 1,000 will survive more than 6 years, but only about 300--400 of these can under the present circumstances be actively re-employed. It is felt that more active vocational measures would be beneficial for both handicapped individuals and society.